Attachment clip for suction cleaner brush

ABSTRACT

A clip attached to the ends of a power driven rotary brush to insure proper mounting of the brush within a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Axle pins extend outwardly from the brush ends and are rotatably journaled, eccentrically in stationary bearing blocks. A squared end member is fixed on each block and is held in an inverted U-shaped spring bracket mounted on the nozzle, releaseably mounting the brush within the nozzle. The attachment or mounting clip is formed with a squared opening through which the brush end member is inserted for mounting the clip thereon. Flanges are formed on three sides of the clip forming an open clip end through which the bracket passes when mounting the brush within the nozzle. The open end of the clip thus enables the brush ends to be inserted in only one preset eccentric position in the bracket, insuring the same degree of eccentricity at both ends of the brush.

United States Patent 1191 Holman '1451 Nov. 12,1974

[ ATTACHMENT CLIP FOR SUCTION CLEANER BRUSH [75] Inventor: William G. Holman, Stoughton,

Wis.

[73] Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co., Highland Heights, Ohio 7 [22] Filed: July 13, 1 973 21 Appl. No.1 379,052

Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Assistant Examiner-C. K. Moore Attorney, Agent, or FirmFrease & Bishop [57] ABSTRACT A clip attached to the ends of a power driven rotary brush to insure proper mounting of the brush within a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Axle pins extend outwardly from the brush ends and are rotatably journaled, eccentrically in stationary bearing blocks. A squared end member is fixed on each block and is held in an inverted U-shaped spring bracket mounted on the nozzle, releaseably mounting the brush within the nozzle. The attachment or mounting clip is formed with a squared opening through which the brush end member is inserted for mounting the clip thereon. Flanges are formed on three sides of the clip forming an open clip end through which the bracket passes when mounting the brush within the nozzle. The open end of the clip thus enables the brush ends to be inserted in only one preset eccentric position in the bracket, insuring the same degree of eccentricity at both ends of the brush.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures ATTACHMENT CLIP FOR SUCTION CLEANER BRUSH A CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS The invention involves improvements on the constructions shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,072,956 an BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention 2. Description of thePrior Art Many types of suction cleaners are provided with motor driven brushes journaled in the nozzles, especially when the cleaners are used for general household cleaning purposes. It is, however, desirable in such a cleaner brush construction to have the brush adjustable with respect to the nozzle so that the position of the periphery of the brush may be changed relative to the plane of the nozzle lips to compensate for bristle wear, and also to. enable surfaces having different characteristics to be cleaned more efficiently with the proper brush location.

Suction cleaner nozzle types having adjustable power driven brushes mounted therein are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,072,956 and 2,176,769. Brush adjustment is obtained by journaling the axle pins at the brush ends in eccentrically mounted stationary blocks, which in turn have a squared end member fixed thereon. These squared end members then are inserted, in any one of four positions, into inverted U-shaped spring brackets mounted within the nozzle on its end walls.

The squared end members have position indicating marks embossed thereon so that the distance of the brush axis from the surface being cleaned can be adjusted by the position at which the eccentric blocks are mounted in the brackets. The adjusting indicating marks on the squared end members correspond to the eccentric blocks attached to the end members.

Therefore, when mounting the brush on the nozzle, the degree of eccentricity must be the same for each brush end or, in other words, the same squared end adjustment setting must be inserted into the bracket at each end of the brush. This uniform brush mounting is necessary for the most efficient cleaning operation and to prevent binding of the brush within the nozzle which may produce strain on the drive motor armature and bearings.

Suitable instructions are included with all new cleaners when sold cautioning the operator thatthe ends of the nozzle brush must have the same adjustment setting when inserted into the nozzle brackets to insure efficient operation. However, as is often the situation with many appliances and equipment, such instructions are not read or are not followed.

Servicefpersonnel have found upon making service calls that the operator, after removal of the brush for cleaning thereof or for replacing the drive belt, has inserted the brush in the nozzle brackets without regard to the position indicators on the squared end members.

Such random mounting, generally results in each brush end having a different adjustment setting causing reduced cleaner efficiency or improper operation.

Thus, there is a need for an inexpensive and readily attached device which can be installed at the factory or by a serviceman to insure that the brush when removed by the operator, must be remounted in correct position at both brush ends, and which enables the eccentric mounting brush means to be used for adjusting the brush bristle position with respect to a surface being cleaned when necessary.

No suction cleaner brush construction of which I am aware has solved this problem of improper brush mounting or has inserted a flanged clip on the squared brush ends so that the brush can be mounted in only one eccentric position in the nozzle brackets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Objectives of the invention include providing a clip for a suction cleaner brush which is detachably and adjustablymounted within a suction cleaner nozzle so that the position of the brush with respect to the surface being cleaned may be adjusted to compensate for bristle wear and surface characteristics; providing a clip for a suction cleaner brush which is inserted easily on the squared ends of the brush to avoid incorrect mounting of the brush within the nozzle by insuring that the eccentric adjusted position is the same at both brush ends when mounted in the nozzle brackets; providing a clip for a suction cleaner brush which can be I installed easily and quickly at the factory or by service personnel in the field without tools; providing a clip for a suction cleaner brush which can be removed and reinstalled easily on the squared brush ends permitting adjustment of the brush bristles with respect to a surface being cleaned either by the suction cleaner operator or by service personnel; providing a clip for a suction cleaner brush which does not affect the cleaning efficiency and usual operation of the suction cleaner, and which eliminates difficulties heretofore encountered; and which achieves the stated objectives simply, inexpensively and effectively, and solves problems and satisfies existing needs. 1

These objectives and advantages are obtained by a clip for a suction cleaner of the type having a nozzle, a brush mounted within the nozzle, an axle pin in each end of the brush, a block eccentrically journaled on each end of the pin rotatably mounting the brush within the nozzle, a squared stationary end member mounted on each block, and inverted U-shaped spring brackets in the nozzle detachably mounting the squared end members therein; the improvement in which one of said clips is mounted on the squared end member at each member at;each end of the brush; each clip including a vertically extending wall having inner and outer surfaces, and flanges extending outwardly from three sides of the clip wall outer surface forming an open clip top end; the vertical wall being normal to the axis of the brush and the clip flanges extending parallel with the brush axis toward the nozzle brackets; a squared opening formed in the vertical wall between the flanges through which the squared brush end member extends mounting the clip on the brush end; the nozzle brackets being inserted through the open clip top ends with the brackets being located within the flanges whereby the brush squared end member can be mounted in only one position on the nozzle brackets,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEDRAWING A preferred embodiment of the invention illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles is set forth in the following description and shown in the drawing and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. I

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of an electrically operated, portable suction cleaner with the clip mounted on the rotary brush;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the suction cleaner brush clip;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33, FIG. 1;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A usual electrically operated portable suction cleaner, of the type such as described in US. Pat. Nos. 2,072,956 and 2,176,769, is indicated generally at 1 (FIG. 1). Cleaner 1 has a motor mounted within a housing 2, a suction producingfan mounted within fan housing 3, and a nozzle 4 mounted on the front end of fan housing 3. An operating handle 5 is pivotally mounted on and extends upwardly from motor housing 2.

Motor housing 2 and fan housing 3 are movably supported by front casters 6 and an adjustable rear caster 7 for rolling movement over a floor or the like indicated at 8. I

.Nozzle 4 includes front and rear walls 9 and 10 and outwardly flared end walls 11 which terminate in vertical portions 12. The bottom edges of housing walls 9, l0 and 12 form a nozzle opening 13. A nozzle guard 14 is mounted on nozzle opening 13 by a curved front flange 15 (FIG. 1) and a vertically extending rear flange l6. Flanges 15 and 16 preferably are formed integrally with guard 14 and are clipped over the lower ends of nozzle 4 to hold guard 14 securely thereon.

A motor shaft18 extends through a suction discharge outlet 19 formed in rear nozzle wall 10 (FIG. 3). An endless belt 20 passes about the extended end of shaft 18 and about a raised pulley surface 21 formed on a nozzle brush, indicated generally at 22.

Brush 22 includes a main shaft 23 having a plurality of bristles 17 extending outwardly therefrom. Shaft 23 preferably is made of wood, and terminates at each end in a reduced central boss 24 (FIG. 4) formed by an annular groove 35. A cup-shaped ferrule 25 is seated tightly over each boss 24 preventing the ends of the wooden shaft 23 from splitting. An axle pin 26 is seated tightly in a passage 27 formed in each end of shaft 23 and extends outwardly through an aligned hole in ferrule 25. j g

A bearing block 29, substantially square in cross section, is joumaled on each pin 26 by a bore 30 eccentrically formed through each block 29. Blocks 29 are retained on axle pins 26 abutting adjacent ferrules 25 by enlarged heads 31 formed on the outer end of each pin 26.

I An annular hub cap 32 having a squared closed end shank 33 is mounted on each block 29 so as to enclose the outer end of each axle pin 26. Each hub cap 32 ter-' minates in an annular flange portion 34 which surrounds and overlaps the reducedboss 24 and ferrule 25 at each end of the brush shaft 23. A raised annual portion 23a is formed on the ends of shaft 23 and extends beyond each boss 24 and overlaps hub cap flanges 34, as shown in FIG. 4.

A mounting cap 37 formed of rubber or other resilient material having a squared shank 38 is slipped over squared shank 33 of hub cap 32. Mounting cap 37 also is provided with an annular flange 39 which overlaps the end of shaft 23 and engages annual portion 23a formed on the ends of shaft 23.

A generally inverted U-shaped bracket 40 is mounted on each end wall portion 12 by rivets 41 for detachably mounting brush 22 within nozzle 4. Bracket 40 has a rear strap 42 through which rivets 41 extend, and an inwardly extending top wall 43 with a pair of spaced spring steel fingers 44 extending downwardly therefrom. Bracket 40 is U-shaped in cross section as best shown in FIGS. 6-8 and forms substantiallythree sides of a square for receiving the squared shanks 38 of mounting cap 37.

Brush 22 is mounted within nozzle 4 by inserting brush 22 vertically upwardly through nozzle opening v 13 with squared shanks 38 of mounting caps 37 being clamped between bracket fingers 44.

When brush 22 is mounted within nozzle 4, blocks 29 are maintained stationary with respect to the nozzle walls by means of stationary hub caps 32, mounting caps 37 and brackets 40. Axle'pins 26 are stationary with respect to brush shaft 23 and rotate in the bearing blocks 29 when brush 22 is rotated by drive belt 20.

Due to the eccentricity of the outer squared surfaces of shanks 38 with respect to axle pins 26, shanks 38 may be inserted into brackets 40 in any one of four positions. The adjustment positions indicated by the numerals 1-2-3"-2, are embossed at 45 on flanges 39 of mounting cap 37. Actually, although there are four possible positions of inserting shank 38 into bracket 40, the two positions indicated at 2 will have the same adjustment setting with respect to the floor line 8.

These adjustment positions will locate the brush axis at various levels with respect to nozzle'opening 13 and vary the distance that brush bristles 17 extend therefrom. Thus, the brush may be adjusted to compensate for bristle wear or for particular characteristics of the surface being cleaned. Care, however, must be taken to insert shanks 38 in brackets 40 at the same adjustment position.

In accordance with the invention, an attachment or mounting clip indicated generally at 46 (FIG. 2), is mounted on each squared shank 38 of mounting cap 37 to insure that shanks 38 together with blocks 29, have the same amount of eccentricity with respect to axle pins 26 at both ends of brush 22 when mounted in brackets 40.

Clip 46 preferably is stamped from flat sheet metal and includes a main vertical wall 47 having inner and outer surfaces 48 and 49. A squared opening 50 is formed in wall 47 and is the same size and configuration as the outer surface of squared shank 38. Wall 47 terminates in a pair of spaced vertical side flanges 51 and 52 and a horizontal bottom flange 53, all of which extend outwardlyfrom outer wall'surface 49 and form an open top clip end 54. Flanges 51, 52 and 53 preferably are of equal length and form right angles with vertical wall 47.

Clips 46 are installed on squared shanks 38 either at the factory or by service personnel. Clips 46 are slipped on shanks 38, with shanks 38 projecting through squared openings 50. The resiliency of mounting cap 37 enables clip 46 to be slightly forced and held thereon without additional clamping or retaining means. Clip 46, likewise, can be removed easily if desired by'pulling axially outwardly along shank 38.

Vertical clip walls 47 extend normal to the axis of brush 22 when mounted on shanks 38, and flanges 51-53 extend parallel with the brush axis toward nozzle brackets 40, as shown in FIG. 4.

Clips 46 will be installed on a new brush 22 in the position shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, or adjustment position I." In position 1 axle pins 26 are in the furthermost vertical distance from floor line 8, which is the preferable setting when brush bristles 17 are new and long. Clips 46 are installed with bottom flanges 53 adjacent squared shank surfaces 38a (FIG. 6) which corresponds to adjustment position 1, on both ends of brush 22. Thus, in order to snap shanks 38 in spring brackets 40 in an upwardly vertical direction, open ends 54 of clips 46 must be at the top permitting bracket fingers 44'to move between clip side flanges 51 and 52.

Should shanks 38 be attempted to be installed in brackets 40 in an incorrect adjustment setting, spring fingers 44 would contact flanges 51, 52 or 53. Therefore, end mounting caps 37 together with hub caps 32 and blocks 29 must be rotated to the preset adjusted position before mounting shanks 38 in nozzle 4. This insures that the correct side of shanks 38 is inserted upwardly into bracket 40 at each end of brush 22, assuming clips 46 are mounted correctly on shanks 38.

Brush 22, thus can be removed from nozzle 4 numerous times by a housewife, maid, etc. for cleaning or belt replacement, are reinstalled thereon without regard tofollowing instructions as to the adjustment setting or rotational position of shanks 38 with respect to brackets 40.

Clips 46 do not interfere in any manner with the cleaning efficiency of cleaner 1 and continue to permit adjustment of brush 22 with respect to floor line 8, as is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 and described below.

Clips 46 are removed axially from mounting caps 37 and rotated either 90 or 180 with respect to their previous attachment position and reinserted on shanks 38 to adjust brush 22. Care must be exercised that clips 46 are installed in the same position at both brush ends. Such brush adjustment and clip repositioning usually will be done by service personnel, or else by a housewife or maid who has read the cleaner instructions and is aware of the brush misalignment problem. Clips 46 are needed only to prevent those individuals who remove brush 22 from within nozzle 4 and reinstall the same therein without regard to the rotational position of shanks 38.

When clips 46 are installed with bottom flanges 53 adjacent shank surfaces 38b (FIG. 7 adjustment position 2") axle pins 26 are positioned closer to nozzle opening 13 or floor line 8 due to the eccentric mounting of pins 26 in blocks 29. Thus, once clips 46 are installed in position 2 on shanks 38, brush 22 can be mounted only on brackets 40 in this position at both brush ends.

Likewise, reinstalling clips 46 in the position of FIG. 8 (adjustment position 3) with bottom flange 53 adjacent shank surface 38c, moves axle pins 26 to their closest position with respect to the nozzle opening and compensates for worn, short bristles 17. Again clips 46 once installed in adjustment position 3 at both brush ends, prevent misalignment of brush 22 in nozzle 4 unless clips 46 are removed first from shanks 38.

Experience has shown that a housewife, maid, etc. will not forcibly remove a part from a suction cleaner, such as clip 46, unless they have first read the instructions and are familiar with the cleaner operation. However, shanks 38 can be reinstalled incorrectly very easily in nozzle 4 since mounting caps 37 and eccentric blocks 29 rotate freely when brush 22 is removed from nozzle 4, and since the small amount of eccentricity of axle pins 26 with respect to shank surfaces 38a, 38b and 38c is not readily noticeably by a casual observer.

Mounting caps 37 need not be resilient to enable clips 46 to perform their intended function. Caps 37 can be of sheet metal or the like and be provided with any one of numerous types of retaining means to hold clips 46 in assembled position thereon. However, the formation of caps 37 of resilient material enable them to achieve the results described in US. Pat. No. 2,176,769, and also eliminates the need for additional retaining means for clips 46. j

Clips 46, thus are extremely inexpensive components which can be installed without tools at the factory or by service personnel in a matter of seconds, and which eliminate mismounting of the rotary brush within the nozzle; provides for efficient cleaner operation and permits brush adjustment to compensate for bristle wear and to accommodate the cleaning of surfaces having various characteristics; enables maximum efficiency to be achieved in the operation of a suction cleaner; and provides a construction which is effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient in assembly, operation and use, and which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior devices, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details of the construction shown or described.

Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the im proved attachment clip for suction cleaner brush is constructed, assembled and operated, the characteristics of the new construction, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. ln a suction cleaner of the type having a nozzle, a-

brush mounted within the nozzle, an axle pin in each end of the brush, a block ecentrically journalled on each end of the pin rotatably mounting the brush within the nozzle, a squared stationary end member mounted on each block, and inverted U-shaped brackets having spaced fingers in the nozzle 'detachably mounting the squared end members between the fingers, the improvement comprising; clip means mounted on the squared endmember at each end of the brush; each clip means having a vertically extending wall with inner and outer surfaces, and flanges extending outwardly from three sides of the clip means outer surface forming an open clip top end; a squared opening formed in the vertical wall between said flanges through which the squared brush end member extends mounting said 8 clip means on the brush end; and the nozzle brackets being inserted through the open clip top ends with the bracket fingers located within the flanges whereby the brush end members can be mounted in only one position on the brackets when-the brush is mounted within the nozzle, and whereby the eccentricity of the axle pins are the same at both brush ends.

2. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the brush end members are formed of resilient material; and in which the clip means are frictionally held on the end members by the resiliency of said members.

3. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the clip means is formed of sheet metal; in which the flanges are integral with the vertical wall; and in which all of the flanges extend equal distances outwardly from said vertical wall.

4. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the clip means vertical wall is normal to the axis of the brush; and in which said clip means flanges extend parallel with the axis of the brush toward the nozzle brackets. 

1. In a suction cleaner of the type having a nozzle, a brush mounted within the nozzle, an axle pin in each end of the brush, a block ecentrically journalled on each end of the pin rotatably mounting the brush within the nozzle, a squared stationary end member mounted on each block, and inverted U-shaped brackets having spaced fingers in the nozzle detachably mounting the squared end members between the fingers, the improvement comprising; clip means mounted on the squared end member at each end of the brush; each clip means having a vertically extending wall with inner and outer surfaces, and flanges extending outwardly from three sides of the clip means outer surface forming an open clip top end; a squared opening formed in the vertical wall between said flanges through which the squared brush end member extends mounting said clip means on the brush end; and the nozzle brackets being inserted through the open clip top ends with the bracket fingers located within the flanges whereby the brush end members can be mounted in only one position on the brackets when the brush is mounted within the nozzle, and whereby the eccentricity of the axle pins are the same at both brush ends.
 2. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the brush end members are formed of resilient material; and in which the clip means are frictionally held on the end members by the resiliency of said members.
 3. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the clip means is formed of sheet metal; in which the flanges are integral with the vertical wall; and in which all of the flanges extend equal distances outwardly from said vertical wall.
 4. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the clip means vertical wall is normal to the axis of the brush; and in which said clip means flanges extend parallel with the axis of the brush toward the nozzle brackets. 